Sunday Conversation: UM GSA chief Sundberg coming home

Greg Sundberg, right, executive director of the University of Montana Grizzly Scholarship Association, will be in Great Falls along with many UM head coaches for a barbecue and fan event at the Mansfield Convention Center.(Photo: TRIBUNE PHOTO/RION SANDERS)Buy Photo

Editor’s Note: Greg Sundberg grew up in Great Falls and played both football and basketball at C.M. Russell High. His football career at the University of Montana was cut short, but Sundberg has been involved in Grizzly athletics ever since moving to Missoula. He is executive director of the Grizzly Scholarship Association and will be coming home to the Electric City on Tuesday as the Great Falls chapter of the GSA sponsors a function at the Civic Center’s Mansfield Convention Center. Many UM coaches will also be in Great Falls that day to golf and meet with Grizzly boosters. Sundberg took time to visit this week with Tribune Columnist Scott Mansch for our Sunday Conversation.

Q: How are you, Greg? What have you been up to?

A: I’m good, Scott. We’ve been out around the state putting some miles on the road.

Q: How many functions like this are there each spring?

A: I believe 14, and I’m at every one. We see the state.

Q: You’ve got friends in about every town, too, I’ll bet.

A: I feel like I do (laughs). They might be more happy to see me go, though.

Q: Well, I’m sure you also feel like you’ve got the most friends right here in Great Falls.

A: I sure like to think so. Great Falls is definitely, as you know, a special spot. Absolutely. It’s always special to get back home.

Q: You’ve been in this role for seven years. Is it something you truly love or where do you think your career might lead?

A: I found out in a short period of time that you take it day by day. If you would have told me when I was in college I’d be in this position I would have called you crazy. I feel so lucky to be part of the university and this athletic department. What we’ve been able to accomplish in the last dozen or so years has been remarkable. And I’m happy to be a part of it.

Q: Take me back a few years, Greg. What year did you graduate from CMR?

A: 1997.

Q: You played tight end for that 1996 Rustler football team. Was it a good squad?

A: Yes it was. We finished runner-up. We were close in the chipper against Helena Capital. If I’m not mistaken they got us on a two-point conversion in the state championship. I was real lucky to have played under Jack Johnson and in that program and I feel real fortunate because I had a close-knit group of friends. A lot of us stay well-connected.

Q: Who are some of those friends?

A: Paul Soldano, Keith Cron and Burke Allen. Burke is teaching at CMR and Paul’s at East Middle School as an administrator. Keith went on to be an engineer and works for a CTA there in town. Stuart Purdy, who played wideout for us, is down in LA as an attorney. Darold DeBolt is coaching at Carroll. I stay in touch with him, too. The list goes on and on. There are probably 20 guys on that team I stay in touch with.

A: No, not at all. Another friend is Kirk Meyer. He played O-Line for us and works at DADCO there in Great Falls. He’s a good buddy, too.

Q: What about your football career with the Grizzlies?

A: The body just didn’t hold up. I was working with Craig Dickenson at the time; he was the recruiting coordinator. Mick Dennehy was the head coach. I took a year off to see if I could come back. I definitely ate like I was an O-lineman and lifted like I was an O-lineman (laughs), but decided to take it in a different direction. It was a couple years later that I interned with the athletic department. I missed athletics. I did some coaching at Missoula Sentinel, but that wasn’t really what I wanted. I really enjoy what I’m doing now.

Q: You played basketball in high school, too. Did the Rustlers have good teams back then?

A: We did. In fact my sophomore year for Russell we took third place at State. That was when Kelly Darragh and Kevin Kimball were seniors. I was fortunate to play up, which was pretty cool. When I got older I honed in on football and that took over my life a little bit (laughs).

Q: We hear you all the time on the radio during Grizzly games, Greg. You do a great job helping Mick Holien with the basketball broadcasts.

A: I do color with basketball and sideline reporting for football. I sure have a lot of fun with that. It’s been a pleasure.

Q: Do you have family still living here in Great Falls?

A: Yes. My in-laws, John and Mary Gregory, live there. We don’t get back there as much because we’ve got two little boys. Drew is 7 and Grady is about to turn 4.

Q: I didn’t know your wife (Jaclyn) was from Great Falls.

A: She was my high school sweetheart at CMR.

Q: Was Jaclyn was an athlete?

A: She was a cheerleader.

Q: That’s great. So you’re telling me the secret to a happy marriage is to find a CMR cheerleader or what, Greg?

A: I don’t know (laughs). I consider myself the lucky one. She drew the short straw. I think we’ve been through it all, but she’s been amazing. Tell you what, I’m one of the lucky ones.

Q: So you outkicked your coverage in that regard, Big Fellow?

A: Oh yes. Big-time.

Q: And your folks?

A: My parents (Karl and Linda) ended up moving to Missoula. My dad was with Buttrey Foods for 30-plus years in Great Falls. They love it over here now with the grandkids.

Q: Well, what about those boys of yours? When the old Cat-Griz game comes on is there any problem of which team they’re rooting for?

A: No, no. They’re all Maroon and Silver. You know Scott, they’re going to have a lot of choices in their lives, but one that they’re not going to be able to make is when it comes down to the Griz-Cat game (laughs).

Q: What do you folks have in store for Grizzly fans on Tuesday at the GSA function?

A: We’re really excited about what we’re getting done facility-wise. We’ll be updating our supporters, many of whom have gotten behind this project financially, and tell them how much we have going on. We have over $17 million worth of projects right now, privately supported for the most part. We’re excited to introduce Travis DeCuire (UM men’s basketball coach). He wasn’t able to make it to Great Falls last year. And we’re excited to introduce the state to Bob Stitt (new football coach). And then of course the rest of our head coaches will be there.

Q: Are you golfing on Tuesday afternoon?

A: Yes. There’s a small group that will play in the afternoon at Meadow Lark, then we’ll get cranked up at the Convention Center at about 5 p.m.

Q: I’m sure you always look forward to coming to Great Falls, don’t you Greg?

A: I do. There’s always a special place in my heart for Great Falls. And the hospitality that they show not only me but the University of Montana is remarkable. It’s our largest fundraiser. And as far as attendance it’s far and away our biggest stop. Central Montana means a lot to the university and of course Great Falls means a whole heckuva lot to me.

Q: Your largest fundraiser? You know the Bobcats also have a huge following in central Montana. I don’t think there’s any town in our state that has more fans of both the Cats and Griz.

A: It sure seems that way. It’s awesome. Lewistown, geographically, is the center of the state but I call Great Falls pretty much the center. To be split down the middle with the Cats and Griz is pretty cool.